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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Unmusical - without tone.






2. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






3. A direction to play lively and fast.






4. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






5. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






6. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






7. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






8. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






9. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






10. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






11. The first violin in an orchestra.






12. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






13. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






14. A string of chords played in succession.






15. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






16. The principal note of a triad.






17. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






18. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






19. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






20. System of notes or tones based on and named after the key note.






21. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






22. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






23. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






24. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






25. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






26. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






27. A short light musical drama.






28. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






29. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






30. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






31. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






32. A direction to play lively and fast.






33. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






34. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






35. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






36. Group of singers in a chorus.






37. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






38. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






39. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






40. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






41. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






42. Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto - featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.






43. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






44. The highest female voice.






45. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






46. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






47. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






48. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






49. A separate section of a larger composition.






50. Indicating speed.